December 20, 2011

The most wonderful time of the year...

Is when our company’s law firm gifts us with a holiday platter of cookies and dessert bars from BonBonerie. I’ve had cookie platters from Busken's and Graeter’s but those seem like knock-offs compared to this bliss.

My favorite is the Coney Island cookie. It is normally heart-shaped but they changed it up for Christmas; luckily the change in shape did not compromise the taste of the cookie. It's a shortbread base topped with raspberry jam and additional shortbread is decoratively piped around the perimeter of the cookie. The piped cookie dough almostreminds me of a churro, almost. Slightly crunchy on the outside of the dough and soft and chewy on the inside. The cookie base is very rich and dense which is what makes this gem so satisfying.

The first runner-up was the Tart Lemon Square. Lemon squares always seem to have that addictive quality, for me at least. The sweetness verges on too much until it is off-set by the sour of the lemon and then you just want to keep eating and eating so you can experience the flavor extremes.

This tray of treats started in my boss's office, then traveled to a conference room, then landed on my desk, back to my boss's office and now it sits in our break-room. The iced sugar cookies were decorated with such detail, almost too pretty to eat, almost.

The dessert bars and other pastries were delightful. Surprisingly, I was not impressed by the double fudge brownie. Most of the bars contained coconut so if you're not a fan you probably want to stick with the basic cookies and cakes. I loved the Petite Blackbottom cupcake with the chocolate snowflake and glitter on top. The Caramel Walnut Bar reminded me of a larger version of a Christmas cookie my aunt used to make with graham crackers covered in brown sugar, melted butter and pecans.